2014 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index

 2014 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index results to feature in discussions at the 2nd Annual South African Competitiveness Forum

Johannesburg, Thursday 4 September 2014 – The 2014/15 World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, released yesterday, indicates that South Africa has improved in seven (7) of the 12 pillars on which countries are assessed.

Improvements have been noted in the areas of:
• Institutions
• Infrastructure
• Macroeconomic environment
• Health and primary education
• Higher education and training
• Labour market efficiency, and
• Business sophistication

Commenting on the 2014 results, Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said, “It is pleasing that South Africa has improved on these seven pillars. These speak to the success of South Africa’s collective efforts to create the conditions that will lead to improvements in the lives of the citizens of our country. These pillars are also aligned to the National Development Plan and these improvements show that we are making strides in implementing this plan. We must collectively play our part to continue implementing this plan and improving our competitiveness,” concluded Mr Matola.

South Africa’s performance meanwhile declined in the following pillars:

• Goods and market efficiency: South Africa has declined in 11 of the 16 sub-pillars in this category. Important considerations which have impacted on South Africa’s performance in this category include the effectiveness of anti-monopoly policies, the ease of doing business and the costs of agricultural policy

• Technological readiness: this decline seems to have been influenced primarily by South Africa’s broadband capabilities

• Financial market development: The most important issue in this pillar pertains to a rather significant drop from 1st to 43rd position in the Legal Rights Index sub-indicator.

• Innovation: although South Africa declined overall in the pillar, we did improve in two areas: Government procurement of advanced technology products (119-112), and Availability of Scientists and Engineers (108 to 102).

South Africa now ranks 56 of the 144 countries covered by the WEF Global Competitiveness Index having fallen from 53rd place in 2013/14.

The second annual South African Competitiveness Forum scheduled from 4-5 November 2014 will look at these and other issues. Discussions with a range of stakeholders who will convene for the Forum, will look at how to improve and maintain South Africa’s competitiveness to ensure that we deliver on our developmental agenda which includes economic and social development.

Note to editors:
South Africa’s performance in the WEF GCI at a glance:

About Brand South Africa

Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, helping to improve its global competitiveness. It also aims to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, contributing to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.

About Play Your Part

Play Your Part is a nationwide campaign created to inspire, empower and celebrate active citizenship in South Africa.  It aims to lift the spirit of our nation by inspiring all South Africans to contribute to positive change, become involved and start doing. A nation of people who care deeply for one another and the environment in which they live is good for everyone.

Play Your Part is aimed at all South Africans – from corporates and individuals, NGOs and government, churches and schools, from the young to the not-so-young.  It aims to encourage South Africans to use some of their time, money, skills or goods to contribute to a better future for all.

There are numerous opportunities for each and every South African to make a positive difference in the communities in which they live and operate. Play Your Part encourages them to act on these opportunities, whether big or small. The campaign is driven by Brand South Africa.

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Contact

For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:Boitumelo Mpete
Tel: +27 11 712 5007
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 358 9047
Email: boitumelom@brandsouthafrica.com